Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Whew - what a story!

The Miller brothers have written a fast-paced, funny, caffeine-infused book chronicling the miraculous and epic twelve-month journey that resulted in the film, Touching Home. Logan and Noah never doubted their father's life had meaning. They also knew that it was up to them to tell that story.

This book, Either You're In or You're In The Way, has a lot going on that made it intriguing for me. First, I'm a sucker for stories about outsiders (especially working class heroes) who manage to break into closed systems on their own terms. In this case, without film school pedigrees or famous relatives, but armed with grit and a shared delusion (their term), Noah and Logan overcome the barriers surrounding the Hollywood film industry.

As the older sister to identical twin sisters, I could also relate to those instances in the narrative when Noah and Logan give a nod to the synergistic and kinetic energy that exists in their relationship. So much so, that I wonder if a single person could have pulled off what they did together -- or even a non-twin pair of siblings.

There's also the Ed Harris factor. Who among us doesn't acknowledge the place Harris has as one of our nation's very best actors? I was on edge page after page, thinking Ed Harris better come through for these guys!

Much of the book takes place in California, with the actual film shot in northern California. Since I live in this area, I enjoyed reading about the specific locations and all the logistical considerations. I could truly understand the huge gamble they took in planning an outdoor shooting schedule in December.

Maybe it's not surprising that the Miller brothers give a shout out to independent booksellers in the acknowledgements section of their book, given that as independent filmmakers they are fellow travelers in a David versus Goliath dynamic. But, I've never seen this before. These young men "get it."

The film Touching Home is about to be released here in the U.S. This is definitely a book you'll want to read before you see the movie.

I'm going to give away a copy of Either You're In or You're In The Way. Just leave a comment that answers this question: Have you ever thought about making your own movie or writing a book?

Leave a second comment if you follow this blog for an extra entry and be sure to leave your email so I can contact you. I'll select from the comments using random.org on Monday April 5th at or very near midnight. U.S. only.

Note: I received a review paperback copy of this book from the publisher.

14 comments:

Great Review! This is a book that's been on my TBR list for a while, but forgot about. Thank you for the reminder, esp now that the movie's coming up!

Oh, Would love to win a copy, and I have thought about making movies, writing books, and producing plays since I was old enough to know that there were writers, actors, directors and producers. Have I done any of it? Not yet. :)

Wow..the review is great. I really want to see the movie and you and I already have this thing for these horrid stories. I also enjoy reading books that take place locally. I don't know what's up with that.

I've definitely thought of writing my own book, it would be a memoir but the problem is you know a bunch of it so it'd be a big snore. I could always write about that guy with the huge....

I would love to read the book. I have an idea for a book, but not sure I have the concentration it would take to pull it off. I may be moving in the right direction by blogging every day. It is good discipline. If I win, you can contact me at my blog. Thanks.

oh this sounds like such a fun read. i love stories like this.and yeah...i tap danced around that whole book idea...actually, my late, step-grandmother was always on me to write a "foreign woman in japan" kind of book, she even kept all my letters....hmmm...i should get in touch with my step-mom and see what happened to those letters...i bet i'd have half a book right there!!:-)

I DO follow you. :)I have not heard anything about these guys or what movie and what does Ed Harris have to do with it? SO I guess I better go find out just what you're talking about.I always think about writing a book or making a movie; usually the dream is to write a screenplay - adaptation not original. bkclubcare at gmail

Okay, I finally figured out how to comment! So now that I have your attention...I think my comment will be that I am one of the twins you were referring to in your review of the book and in my experience there is a synergistic connection between twins that can make something more possible with two people that are so connected working at it, it's called "Twin Power"!!!